Starches market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The starch market volume in Eastern Africa grew from 204.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 336.0 thousand tons in 2023. Following a contraction to 196.6 thousand tons in 2019, the market resumed expansion and accelerated sharply after 2021, adding over 118 thousand tons in two years.

Domestic starch production showed moderate fluctuations, moving between 155.7 and 172.7 thousand tons and ending the period at its peak. The remarkable market growth was supported by a surge in imports, which increased more than fourfold from 41.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 183.9 thousand tons in 2023.

While exports remained limited for most of the period, a temporary rise to 20.6 thousand tons in 2023 coincided with the highest recorded market volume. The overall trajectory indicates a significant increase in starch availability within the region.

Production starches in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

In 2019, Eastern Africa's starch production reached its lowest point at 155.7 thousand tons, before rising to 164.8 thousand tons in 2020. This represented a modest year-over-year increase of 5.8%. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 167.9 thousand tons, while the most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports starches from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's starch exports showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 1,618 tons, before surging to 5,449 tons in 2020. This marked a substantial year-over-year increase of 236.7%. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 3.4-fold. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 69.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the primary destination for Eastern Africa's starch exports, accounting for 48.6% of the total volume. Pakistan followed with 2.1%, and the United States with 1.2%. Together, these three countries represented 51.8% of all starch exports from the region.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of starch exports from Eastern Africa exhibited significant volatility. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 796 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 3,714 thousand US dollars, representing a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, export value rose to 1,440 thousand US dollars, an 81.0% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 78.6%, and the largest increase in 2018 at 160.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo led as the top buyer of Eastern African starches in value terms, accounting for 23.7% of total exports. The United States followed with 3.2%, and Pakistan with 2.4%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 29.2% of the region's starch export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports starches to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Eastern Africa imported 42,215 tons of starches, a slight decrease of 0.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 19.7%, averaging an annual decrease of 7.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 41,570 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 20.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, India, Pakistan, and Egypt were the three main sources of starch imports to Eastern Africa, together accounting for 62.8% of the total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of starch imports to Eastern Africa was 19,838 thousand US dollars, reflecting a small contraction of 1.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 13.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 18,918 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 17.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, India was the leading supplier of starches to Eastern Africa in value terms, accounting for 26.6% of total imports. South Africa followed with 16.8%, and Pakistan with 16.5%. Together, these three countries represented 59.9% of the region's starch import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020